SC House District 11

Age: 52Years living in district/county: 27Family: Wife: Robin; Daughters: Leah G. Crumley & Anna GagnonEducation: Doctor of Chiropractic, Sherman College of Chiropractic, 1984Current occupation: ChiropractorPrevious employment: Various jobs during College and High School.Military history: NoneCommunity Involvement: Past president of the following: Greater Abbeville Chamber of Commerce, Abbeville Youth Athletic Board, Abbeville Panther Booster Club, Abbeville Released-Time Christian Education Board & Abbeville Kiwanis ClubElected or Appointed public offices: noneOther political/governmental experience: Chairman, Abbeville County GOP 1989-presentWhy you are seeking this office and why should people vote for you?Having lived in this District for over 27 years, I have come to know many of its citizens. I am convinced they are some of the finest, hardest-working people anywhere. They deserve the best representation possible. I will listen to their concerns, act on those concerns and be their voice in Columbia.

What are the three most important issues you would address if elected and how would you address them?a. Jobs: Will work to promote a greater business climate in the district and state. Will start by working to reduce or eliminate the business property tax rate. Georgia and North Carolina have already done so creating an unfair advantage for them. Finding creative and innovative solutions through continuous dialogue with our existing businesses is essential to our success in attracting new jobs to our area.b. Education: The most important part of our education system is our children. They deserve to be given the best tools they can receive to be a success in our society. Too much of our tax dollars do not reach the classroom. I will work to eliminate waste and unneeded regulation in our educational system.c. Transparency in Government: Opening governmental records to the public is essential to its efficiency and effectiveness. Recently, the Center for Public Integrity released their study of state government accountability. South Carolina received an “F” rating. This is shameful and has to be addressed. I will work to make South Carolina government honest, open and responsible.

What specific steps will you take to make the government process and your office more open and accessible to the public?Strengthen FOI laws. Advocate regular auditing of governmental departments. Advocate for an open, deliberative budget process between the executive and legislative branches.

Other political/governmental experience: NoneWhy are you seeking this office and why should people vote for you?I am seeking this office out of a desire to provide representation and leadership for my district. My knowledge of the challenge for our district to continue to be a great place to live, work, recreate, learn and raise a family compels me to offer my professional, life and spiritual experiences to the service of the people in District 11. I am confident of my willingness and, more importantly, my capability.I have a servant approach to positions of leadership. My work ethic, commitment to service, social, technical and managerial skills, passion to stand up for the common good and composite of my life and professional experiences have prepared me for success. I grew up poor and have achieved success at most levels of the business and industrial environment. I have the people’s and business’ best interest at heart. I am a man of faith who believes in reaching the full potential of what God has offered for all as a life experience. I understand the separation of church and state but also the connection that leads to soundness of mind and judgement in guiding us to a healthy and civil society. I am pro business with experience that includes relocation of three manufacturing facilities to the upstate and I believe in investing in people primarily through the educational system. As mayor I have gained understanding of the business and needs of municipalities. Also, as a public official, I have a track record of enhancing commerce and economy in western Abbeville County through personal initiative.

What are the three most important issues you would address if elected and how would you address them?First, because I believe the greatest investment of people is in people themselves I will passionately support the state’s current efforts to create an educational offering to children and adults in South Carolina that gives full access to anything of value and available in any institution to anyone who desires to pursue it. I have come to understand the funding formulas for our public education system and believe there is a need for reform. Our aged approach to funding is a primary source of our inability to develop more of South Carolina’s children. Every child should have access to the best of offerings available in education. I support public education. I hope to serve on any committee effort that will correct the inequity in educational offering to children in SC.Second, our district as well as all of the state of South Carolina should seek legislation that draws the best of business to our region. To that end we should measure all legislative activity against its contribution to making our region a great place to live, learn, work, play and raise a family. I will passionately question, debate and contribute to the creation of all legislation with a watchful eye as to its contribution to these parameters of life. We should be business friendly and people oriented.Thirdly, I vow to be accessible and in touch with the constituency of our district to insure that I am truly a representative of the hearts and minds of our citizens. The issue is quality of life. I believe in knowing the will of the people and understand that during times of division on issues that I need to exercise a judgement based on a healthy viewpoint of life. I have chosen an approach to life at this point in my own life that I am confident will serve the common good. My belief that none of us is as smart as all of us keeps me humble in my leadership and fully open to doing my job of being a representative of the people. The people should go to the statehouse. I am just the conduit.What other issues do you see as important? Our government needs to be functional. I am committed to bridging the divides that have held the progress of the state of South Carolina in check when it comes to moving forward as a great place to live and do business. My values and sense of responsibility transcends party lines.Protection of our farmlands, wetlands, woodlands and other natural resources requires decisions that stimulates and encourages the growth of business but at the same time keeps the relationship between people and creation at ease. A challenge for South Carolina is be a vibrant business center as well as a unique healthy living experience.

What specific steps will you take to make the government process and your office more open and accessible to the public?I will first be an open door between government and the citizenry. As a leader and one who has skills of persuasion and exhortation I will diligently work to remind others of this duty of openness and stand as watchman for the people in the government to insure that no concerted effort to deny citizens access to their government be supported. Focus on the importance of FOIA and being proactive in communicating to the people the business of the legislature is to me a mandate. Most tend to answer when asked – maybe. I believe in telling.I would encourage the public, especially children through the educational system, to proactively ask about and observe legislative activity. Most often our citizenry shows up only during issues of great public interest. I would encourage more consistent involvement in the business of the legislature. The media would be a great driver to change apathy into interest by being more consistent in its publication of legislative activity.